If you are considering becoming a surrogate mother with Simple Surrogacy, you have probably already reviewed the requirements that you must meet to be accepted. You might be wondering why BMI, otherwise known as body mass index, matters if you want to be a surrogate? It turns out, BMI is a pretty good indicator of a woman’s overall health. We will explain the importance of surrogate mothers having a healthy BMI here. 
BMI, short for body mass index, comes from a mathematical formula created in the 1830s by Belgian scientist Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet. Its purpose is to determine if a person is at a healthy weight by dividing their weight (in kilograms) by their height (in meters squared). Indicators are as follows:
For over 100 years, BMI has been used to determine a person’s health. It isn’t always completely accurate, however, as BMI does not take into account the amount of body fat or muscle a person has. It is still a good predictor of overall health and has been a reliable medical standard.
At Simple Surrogacy, our requirement for surrogates is that your BMI is 33 or lower. This is because historical scientific studies have shown that women with BMIs of 33 or lower tend to have healthier, easier pregnancies than women with BMIs higher than 33. We also realize that while BMI is a good predictor of a woman’s health, it is not absolute. Other factors must be taken into consideration, such as experiences during previous pregnancies.
Studies have shown that a woman with a BMI of 35 or above, who is categorized as being within Class II obesity, can take twice as long to conceive as a woman with a BMI of 33 or below. Likewise, an underweight woman with a BMI of less than 19 can take up to four times longer to conceive a child. Doctors also note that women in Class II or higher obesity categories are at a higher risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and other conditions that can make pregnancy high-risk.
Higher BMI can also make the IVF process more complicated. Studies have shown that women with higher BMIs run a higher risk of IVF cycle cancellation and of miscarriage.
If it takes longer for a surrogate to conceive, more money, time and patience must be spent by the intended parents and everyone involved. Higher BMIs in surrogates can also make pregnancy unsafe. This is why Simple Surrogacy and other agencies have set 33 as the high end of BMI we accept for prospective surrogate mothers.
If you are interested in becoming a surrogate with Simple Surrogacy, we invite you to contact us today! Call us at 1-866-41-SURRO or fill out our online form. A representative will get back to you soon to discuss our requirements for surrogates and how you can join us in helping intended parents to build the family of their dreams!
Go back
Before beginning an IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) cycle, many women are prescribed birth control. While this might seem counterintuitive, there are important reasons why this step is part of the process. In this article, we’ll explore why birth control is…
Lern more →Microplastics are small plastic particles, less than 5 millimeters in size, that have become a growing environmental concern. They are found everywhere—from oceans and soil to the food we eat and the air we breathe. While much has been said…
Lern more →Creating a consistent bedtime routine is one of the best things you can do to ensure your child gets the rest they need. Sleep is critical for a child's physical and emotional development, and a well-established routine helps foster better…
Lern more →
